The Patriots quarterback downplayed concern about the lack of a contract extension, vowing to “go with the flow” and saying no one outside the situation could help. Yet that may not be true. If labor negotiations progress to a point where Kraft has a guess at the new salary cap, contract talks may accelerate. That’s a longshot, meaning either Brady’s contract dominates the preseason or Kraft takes a leap of faith to ease Brady’s possible hard feelings. Brady stayed mum on his contract, but came out for the union against an 18-game season. Does that indicate a hard-line stance?

RESPONSE: What nonsense! This is why I referred to the article as a "bit silly". What a stretch!! What does Brady coming out against a possible 18 game schedule have to do with his contract? Hoow does that "indicate a hard-line stance"? Heck, I'm against an 18 game season, too! There are too many injuries during the regular 16 game schedule as it is. What will adding too more full speed games do? This is a shortsighted money grab by the owners. Watering down the regular season by adding two more full speed games hurts the quality of the regular season...and will serve to shorten players' careers.

It was obvious the situation surrounding the Pro Bowl guard would be awkward, as he had no desire to sign his $3.3 million, one-year tender. No one knew it would result in Mankins’ demanding a trade and ripping Kraft. Don’t rule out reconciliation, but Mankins wants a long-term deal or a new team. It’s hard to imagine the Pats giving in. If he’s a camp no-show, he’ll lose millions he can only recoup in a trade and a new deal with that new franchise. There is still a chance for a happy ending, but the bet here is on more public posturing first.

RESPONSE: Mankins is allowing his ego to run amuck...and was foolish to attack the integrity of Bob Kraft. Though he's a very good player, Mankins is no Steve Hutchinson. The Pats offered him a 5 year, $35mil. deal. That seems reasonable. But, in fairness to Mankins, we don't know how much of the $35mil. was guaranteed. My guess is that the Pats will let him sit and stew. If a deal can't be reached by August, Mankins likely will be traded...but only if the Pats can get a #1 draft choice in return.

3. Who will win the jobs at outside linebacker?

The Patriots cleaned up their locker room with the release of Adalius Thomas, creating competition at one of their weakest positions. Special teamer Pierre Woods manned the other spot, but it’s open season there, too. No wonder coach Bill Belichicksaid camp will be “interesting” on defense. With rookie Jermaine Cunningham, mystery man Shawn Crable and gritty Rob Ninkovich joining veterans Tully Banta-Cain [stats] and Derrick Burgess, who can tell who has the upper hand? If Cunningham has a productive month and a half, it may be him.

RESPONSE: Correct. Someone must emerge from the pack and take the job. Otherwise, look for Derrick Burgess to get the nod. The Pats only had only 31 sacks last year. Of their 31 sacks, 10 of them came against the Buffalo Bills, including 5 of Tully Banta-Cain's team leading 9.5 sacks. Someone must step-up, and turn the heat up on opposing passers.

4. If Wes Welker is healthy to begin the season, who exits?

For all the optimism Welker created, showing up at OTAs four months after knee surgery, his apparent quick recovery has another side: Questions come sooner. The signing of Torry Holt eased the burden on Welker, but if the All-Pro is ready by opening day, who is released? The wily Holt? Special teams captain/receiver Sam Aiken? Or does the team carry seven receivers and go with three safeties? A good dilemma for Belichick to have.

RESPONSE: Getting Welker back to 100% should be a main concern. He should be held out for at least the first 3-4 games, no matter how healthy he claims to be...as a precautionary measure. He's too valuable to the offense to risk. WR/KR Brandon Tate bears watching. If he's fully recovered from his knee problems, he could be a major contributor. Randy Moss, Julian Edleman, and veteran Torry Holt are in, Sam Aiken stays, largely because of his value on special teams, and rookie Taylor Price rounds out the group.

5. How quickly does this crop of rookies bum rush the starting lineup?

One of the league’s oldest teams is suddenly getting younger. Thirteen rookies from 2009 and another 12 from 2010 are battling for spots. The team hopes 8-to-10 stick, and they will go far in determining the season. Does Brandon Spikes supplant Gary Guyton at inside linebacker, providing youth and power? Does Devin McCourty challenge Darius Butler for snaps at cornerback, providing physicality? Is it Taylor Price, instead of Holt and Brandon Tate, impacting the receiver position? Is Cunningham, wearing Thomas’ No. 96, the new face of the pass rush? Energetic youngsters could penetrate the locker room.

RESPONSE: This is perhaps the main question...how will the 2010 draft class impact the team? Zoltan "the Magnificent" should be the starting punter. Brandon Spikes should start, or at least see plenty of action, at ILB. How top pick Devin McCourty, Cunningham, and the TEs perform will go a long way to determining how well the Pats do in 2010.

1. Kraft would have to be a fool to let TB walk and Bob Kraft is nobody's fool.2. Mankins however, may be one. What school of negotiation teaches that you should burn bridges by insulting the owner during contract talks? Buh-bye Logan. Just sad that we lose our best Olineman over what amounts to peanuts in the world of NFL salaries.

Mankins could have been offered a 5 year $100 million contract, but if it was a heavily back loaded contract with only $3 mill guaranteed and another $3 million payable in the first 2 years then the overall number is worthless.

Mankins could have been offered a 5 year $100 million contract, but if it was a heavily back loaded contract with only $3 mill guaranteed and another $3 million payable in the first 2 years then the overall number is worthless. Posted by underdoggggg

A valid point that has been hammered into the ground endlessly on this board. Without details, that $35 million could just as easily be a box of powdered cinnamon donuts. What puzzles me about the Mankins situation are the arbitrary potshots he has taken at Kraft, and all this nonsense about a man's word being his bond. The Pats did what they said they would do, and Mankins is choosing not to acknowledge that. How he thinks this is going to increase his trade value or expedite contract negotiations with a new team (if a trading partner can be found) is beyond puzzling to me.

The Patriots gave Wilfork a 5 year $40 million contract $25 million guaranteedThe Patriots gave Bodden a 4 year $22 million contract $10 million guaranteedIt stands to reason Mankins was offered somewhere close to Wilfork's deal.

The Patriots gave Wilfork a 5 year $40 million contract $25 million guaranteed The Patriots gave Bodden a 4 year $22 million contract $10 million guaranteed It stands to reason Mankins was offered somewhere close to Wilfork's deal.Posted by digger0862

Perhaps, digger, but as far as importance to the 53 is concerned, a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense is far more valuable than an offensive guard.

In Response to Re: Brady Contract Matter Nothing to Sweat Over : Perhaps, digger, but as far as importance to the 53 is concerned, a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense is far more valuable than an offensive guard.Posted by NY-PATS-FAN4

True NY, that's why it was shocking the patriots offered 5 years $35 million.Equally shocking was that Mankins rejected it and insulted the organization.

Mankins could have been offered a 5 year $100 million contract, but if it was a heavily back loaded contract with only $3 mill guaranteed and another $3 million payable in the first 2 years then the overall number is worthless. Posted by underdoggggg

Yes. In fairness to Mankins, we don't know how much of the 5 year, $35mil. offered was guaranteed. But, based on the content and tone of his remarks, it's my guess that Mankins' ego was bruised because he wasn't offered a similar deal to that of Saints' OG, Jahri Evans.

That averages out to $8.1mil. per season over 7 years...while the 28 year old Mankins was offered $7mil. over 5 years. So...Evans' is two years younger, and gets a contract two years longer...making $1.1mil. more per season. Assuming that the guaranteed money is about $4mil. less, it would appear that there's room to continue negotiations. But, if the Pats made a firm offer...perhaps that could explain, but not excuse, Mankins' boorish behavior.

Is Mankins as good a player as Evans? Is an OG worth such huge money? Thoughts, anyone?

In Response to Re: Brady Contract Matter Nothing to Sweat Over : A valid point that has been hammered into the ground endlessly on this board. Without details, that $35 million could just as easily be a box of powdered cinnamon donuts. What puzzles me about the Mankins situation are the arbitrary potshots he has taken at Kraft, and all this nonsense about a man's word being his bond. The Pats did what they said they would do, and Mankins is choosing not to acknowledge that. How he thinks this is going to increase his trade value or expedite contract negotiations with a new team (if a trading partner can be found) is beyond puzzling to me.Posted by p-mike

Clearly he doesn't think they did what they said they would do. Technically, maybe, but if that contract offer was a POS then legitimately they did not. That said, I'll agree that he's likely done himself more harm than good.

And yes I have posted umpteen times (as have some others) that the offer may not be "fair", but that hasn't stopped people using the offer as a reason to trash Mankins.

I am sure that Tom Brady does not like not having the security of a long term contract with guaranteed money. Same goes for our center Nick Mangold. One thing that Tom has over Nick is that Tom's wife is the bread winner in that family. Either way, I dont think this is the way that teams commit to their long term plans with players by making them play out the last year of a contract.

In Response to Re: Brady Contract Matter Nothing to Sweat Over : Clearly he doesn't think they did what they said they would do. Technically, maybe, but if that contract offer was a POS then legitimately they did not. That said, I'll agree that he's likely done himself more harm than good. And yes I have posted umpteen times (as have some others) that the offer may not be "fair", but that hasn't stopped people using the offer as a reason to trash Mankins. Posted by underdoggggg

Gee doggiedo! We all appreciate your apparent support of one of our players. Your analysis is clear and focused on the betterment of the morale of our team. Good for you!

In Response to Re: Brady Contract Matter Nothing to Sweat Over : Clearly he doesn't think they did what they said they would do. Technically, maybe, but if that contract offer was a POS then legitimately they did not.

RESPONSE: Could it be that Mankins over reacted because his ego got bruised? Apparently he thinks that he's as good or better than than Jahri Evans...who got $56.7 mil. over 7 years...while he gets offered $35 mil. over 5? Though we don't know how much of the $35 mil. was guaranteed ($19 mil. of Evans' $56.7 mil is guaranteed), it appears that the Pats made a legitimate offer. From what I've read about Evans, he's the best guard in the game.

That said, I'll agree that he's likely done himself more harm than good. And yes I have posted umpteen times (as have some others) that the offer may not be "fair", but that hasn't stopped people using the offer as a reason to trash Mankins.

RESPONSE: The offer does appear to be fair...although, again, we don't know how much of the $35 mil. is guaranteed. Mankins wants a contract similar to what Jahri Evans got. But, Evans is two years younger than Mankins, and is considered to be the better player. If that's true, why should the Patriots match the Evans offer for Mankins? It appears that Mankins is being unreasonable here.

In Response to Re: Brady Contract Matter Nothing to Sweat Over : Yes. In fairness to Mankins, we don't know how much of the 5 year, $35mil. offered was guaranteed. But, based on the content and tone of his remarks, it's my guess that Mankins' ego was bruised because he wasn't offered a similar deal to that of Saints' OG, Jahri Evans. But, when you consider that some think that Evans is the best player on his team , it's no small wonder that he was rewarded so handsomely: http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2009/08/guard_jahri_evans_was_a_steal. html . The 26 year old Evans got a 7 year, $56.7mil. deal, with $19mil. guaranteed: http://www.saintsgab.com/2010/05/05/saints-and-og-evans-come-to-terms-on-a-7-year-deal/ That averages out to $8.1mil. per season over 7 years...while the 28 year old Mankins was offered $7mil. over 5 years. So...Evans' is two years younger, and gets a contract two years longer...making $1.1mil. more per season. Assuming that the guaranteed money is about $4mil. less, it would appear that there's room to continue negotiations. But, if the Pats made a firm offer...perhaps that could explain, but not excuse, Mankins' boorish behavior. Is Mankins as good a player as Evans? Is an OG worth such huge money? Thoughts, anyone? Posted by TexasPat3

With all the rules changes over the past decade that have overturned the entire history of football to make this a passing league I think one consideration is how important is a guard to the passing game? Also how important is it to have lineman who can pass block versus run block? Indy showed that you don't need a running game to get to the SB and that superior pass blocking trumps great run blocking a la Miami. So my question again is how important is having a great versatile guard in the new flag football passing league? Is it still cost effective to keep a guy who can run and pass block? How does the position of guard fit into the National Finesse League long term? In the Pats offense I don't see a running game this year so maybe they just get a pass block specialist to keep Brady upright. I don't think Mankins will play at all this year so they have to do something.